Air cleaner for vehicle

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses an air cleaner for a vehicle. An air cleaner for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a housing having an intake port for suctioning air and an outtake port for supplying the air suctioned through the intake port to an engine system of the vehicle; and an element installed in the housing to filter the air suctioned through the intake port, and the air cleaner further includes an evaporation gas collecting unit installed at an upper part of the inside of the housing to collect evaporation gas.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an air cleaner for a vehicle, and moreparticularly, to an air cleaner for a vehicle which is installed in anintake system of a vehicle to filter air supplied to an engine systemand effectively collect evaporation gas.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, an engine of a vehicle generates power while mixing andcombusting fuel and air.

That is, the fuel stored in a fuel tank passes through various fuelsupply devices and is mixed with the air which flows from outdoor air tobe injected to a cylinder of the engine and the engine repeats suction,compression, explosion, and exhaust strokes to generate the power.

A predetermined amount of air is required to generate the power bydriving the engine and air required for normal combustion is suctionedinto the vehicle from outdoor air to be supplied to an engine system.

An intake system for supplying the air to the engine system may benormally constituted by a duct structure providing a flow path of theair, a resonator for reducing noise, an air cleaner filtering thesuctioned air, and the like.

In this case, the air cleaner suctions the required air according toengine negative pressure of the engine, and the like in communicationwith the outdoor air and supplies the suctioned air to the engine systemthrough an element, and the like.

However, since the air cleaner for the vehicle is originally used forsupplying the air to the engine system, but is in communication with theoutdoor air, the air cleaner for the vehicle may serve as a passage todischarge evaporation gas such as carbon hydrogen generated from theengine system to the outdoor air.

That is, when the evaporation gas generated from the engine system flowsbackward through the duct structure, and the like, a problem in that theevaporation gas is emitted to the outdoor air through an intake port.

Accordingly, the air cleaner in the related art is configured to includea body 1 having an accommodation space formed therein, an intake port 2formed at one side of the bottom of the body 1, and an outtake port 3formed at one side of the top of the body 1, as illustrated in FIG. 1and an element 4 for filtering the air and evaporation gas adsorptionfilters 5 disposed on the top of the element 4 in parallel areconfigured to be disposed in the body 1.

As a result, the air flows in the body 1 through the intake port 2 andthe air which flows in is discharged to the outtake port 3 by passingthrough the body 1 and in this case, the air sequentially passes throughthe element 4 and the evaporation gas adsorption filter 5 to filter dusttherein, and as a result, clean air flows in a combustion chamber.

Further, the evaporation gas generated from the combustion chamber flowsin the body 1 through the outtake port 3 and the evaporation gas isadsorbed by the evaporation gas adsorption filter 5 not to be dischargedto the outside.

However, the element 4 and the evaporation gas adsorption filter 5 arevertically positioned, and as a result, a structure of the air cleanerin the related art becomes larger.

Further, when the evaporation gas adsorption filter 5 is configured in afilter type and the air cleaner in the related art is continuously used,foreign materials are adsorbed in the adsorption filter 5, and as aresult, intake negative pressure decreases and performance deterioratesand activated charcoal powder for adsorbing the evaporation gas issuctioned to the engine by intake pressure.

Accordingly, the air cleaner for the vehicle is devised so as to solvethe problem in the related art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Technical Problem

Embodiments of the present invention are to provide an air cleaner for avehicle which can filter air and effectively collect evaporation gas inspite of manufacturing the air cleaner compactly to minimize dischargeof outdoor air of the evaporation gas and decrease intake negativepressure in spite of continuously using the air cleaner to prevent aproblem in engine performance of the vehicle.

Embodiments of the present invention are to provide an air cleaner for avehicle which can reduce noise generated in suctioning air.

Embodiments of the present invention are to provide an air cleaner for avehicle which includes an evaporation gas colleting unit attached to anddetached from an outtake port of the air cleaner to collect evaporationgas which flows backward from an engine, thereby minimizing discharge ofoutdoor air of the evaporation gas.

Embodiments of the present invention are to provide an air cleaner for avehicle which includes a carbon hydrogen collecting device having anenhanced structure, which is installed at a location maximally close toan engine to enhance adsorption efficiency of carbon hydrogen and anoise reduction effect and arbitrarily control a capacity of activecarbon for adsorbing the carbon hydrogen.

Technical Solution

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, provided is anair cleaner for a vehicle including: a housing having an intake port forsuctioning air and an outtake port for supplying the air suctionedthrough the intake port to an engine system of the vehicle; and anelement installed in the housing to filter the air suctioned through theintake port, and the air cleaner further includes an evaporation gascollecting unit installed at an upper part of the inside of the housingto collect evaporation gas.

According to a second embodiment of the present invention, provided isan air cleaner for a vehicle including: a housing having an intake portfor suctioning air and an outtake port for supplying the air suctionedthrough the intake port to an engine system of the vehicle; and anelement installed in the housing to filter the air suctioned through theintake port, and the air cleaner includes an evaporation gas collectingunit which is in communication with the inside of the housing at anupper part of the outside of the housing and active carbon is providedin the evaporation gas collecting unit.

According to a third embodiment of the present invention, provided is anair cleaner for a vehicle including: a housing having an intake port forsuctioning air and an outtake port for supplying the air suctionedthrough the intake port to an engine system of the vehicle; and anelement installed in the housing to filter the air suctioned through theintake port, and the air cleaner includes an evaporation gas collectingunit installed at an upper part of the outside of the housing to collectevaporation gas which flows backward an engine and a noise attenuationmember capable of reducing noise generated when air is suctioned isfurther included in the evaporation gas collecting unit.

According to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, provided isan air cleaner for a vehicle including: a housing having an intake portfor suctioning air and an outtake port for supplying the air suctionedthrough the intake port to an engine system of the vehicle; and anelement installed in the housing to filter the air suctioned through theintake port, and the air cleaner further includes an evaporation gascollecting unit capable of collecting evaporation gas which flowsbackward in the engine system in an air hose connecting the outtake portand an engine.

According to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, provided is anair cleaner for a vehicle including: a housing having an intake port forsuctioning air and an outtake port for supplying the air suctionedthrough the intake port to an engine system of the vehicle; and anelement installed in the housing to filter the air suctioned through theintake port, and the air cleaner further includes an evaporation gascollecting unit attached to/detached from the outtake port to collectevaporation gas which flows backward in the engine system of thevehicle.

Meanwhile, according to another embodiment of the present invention, acarbon hydrogen collecting device includes: a first body; a second bodycoupled to the end of the first body; and a carbon hydrogen adsorptionunit disposed in an inside space of a connection portion of the firstbody coupled with the second body to reduce intake noise and preventcarbon hydrogen from flow in the air cleaner, the carbon adsorption unitincludes, a first adsorption portion inserted into the first body, asecond adsorption portion inserted into the second body, and multipleactive carbon particles disposed in the first and second adsorptionportions, and the first and second adsorption portions may be coupled toeach other and thereafter, modularized and inserted into the first andsecond bodies.

Advantageous Effects

In an air cleaner for a vehicle according to an embodiment of thepresent invention, an evaporation gas collecting unit capable ofcollecting evaporation gas which flows backward in an engine system ofthe air cleaner is formed to prevent the evaporation gas from flowingout to the outside and a separate evaporation gas collecting unit is notprovided in an engine room of the vehicle to secure an available space.

Further, in an air cleaner for a vehicle according to anotherembodiment, a noise attenuation member is provided in the air cleaner soas to serve as a resonator to offset noise generated during suctioning.

In addition, in an air cleaner for a vehicle according to yet anotherembodiment of the present invention, an evaporation gas collecting unitcan be attached to and detached from an outtake port of a housing toeffectively collect evaporation gas which flows backward in an enginesystem of a vehicle.

Moreover, according to still yet another embodiment of the presentinvention, since a carbon hydrogen adsorption unit made of a compressedand molded non-woven fabric, which accommodates active carbon ismodularized and inserted in first and second bodies, the carbon hydrogenadsorption unit is modularized and configured in various shapes tocorrespond to shapes of the first and second bodies and mountinglocations of the first and second bodies of the carbon hydrogenadsorption unit are disposed to a closer location such as an engine or aturbocharger than the air cleaner to enhance carbon hydrogen collectionefficiency and a noise reduction effect and the carbon hydrogen iseffectively collected from oil mist generated while the engine drops toeffectively prevent the carbon hydrogen from being leaked to the outsidethrough an air intake port of the air cleaner.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an air cleaner for avehicle in the related art.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an air cleaner for avehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an interior of a housing byremoving one side of the top of the housing in the air cleaner for thevehicle illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the air cleaner for a vehicleaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating an air cleaner for avehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an interior of a housing byremoving one side of the top of the housing in the air cleaner for thevehicle illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the air cleaner for a vehicleaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an interior of a housing byremoving one side of the top of a housing in an air cleaner for avehicle according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the air cleaner for a vehicleaccording to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an interior of a housing byremoving one side of the top of a housing in an air cleaner for avehicle according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of the air cleaner for a vehicleaccording to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of an evaporation gas collectingunit provided in the air cleaner for a vehicle according to the fourthembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating an interior of a housing byremoving one side of the top of a housing in an air cleaner for avehicle according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view of the air cleaner for a vehicleaccording to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an evaporation gascollecting unit illustrated in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a carbon hydrogen collecting deviceconnected to an air cleaner for a vehicle according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an exploded state of FIG.16.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a carbon hydrogen collecting deviceconnected to an air cleaner for a vehicle according to yet anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a carbon hydrogen adsorption unitconnected to the air cleaner for a vehicle according to yet anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 19.

BEST MODE

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to the accompanying drawings. However, the followingembodiments are provided to help appreciating the present invention andthe scope of the present invention is not limited to the followingembodiments. Further, the following embodiments are provided so as tomore completely describe the present invention for those skilled in theart and detailed description of known configurations which aredetermined to unnecessarily obscure the spirit of the present inventionwill be omitted. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an aircleaner for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the air cleaner 100 for a vehicle according to theembodiment may include a housing 110 constituted by a body part 110 ahaving an intake port 111 and a cover part 110 b having an outtake port112.

The housing 110 may form an overall exterior of the air cleaner 100 fora vehicle and has a predetermined space part for mounting an element 120(see FIG. 3) or flow of suctioned air therein. The element 120 mountedin the housing 110 which is used for filtering the suctioned air hasbeen known in the related art and is distant from the technical spiritof the present invention, therefore, detailed description thereof willbe omitted.

The housing 110 may include the intake port 111 for suctioning air fromoutdoor air and an outtake port 112 for discharging the suctioned air tothe outside of the housing 110 and supplying the discharged air to anengine, and the like. In the embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2, acase is illustrated, in which the intake port 111 is disposed at a lowerend of the housing 110, that is, the body part 110 a and the outtakeport 112 is disposed at an upper end, that is, a left side of the coverpart 110 b. However, layouts of the intake port 111 and the outtake port112 may be variously designed and changed as necessary.

Further, although not illustrated, an air duct (not illustrated) whichis in communication with the outdoor or an engine system may beconnected to each of the intake port 111 and the outtake port 112 andthe housing may be divided into a plurality of portions forassemblability or easy replacement of the element 120. However, adivision structure of the air duct or the housing 110 may also bevariously designed and changed as necessary, of course.

The air cleaner 100 for a vehicle suctions the outdoor air through theintake port 111 and the suctioned air may be filtered while passingthrough the element 120 disposed in the housing 110. Further, thefiltered air is discharged from the air cleaner 100 for a vehiclethrough the outtake port 112 and supplied to the engine system of thevehicle through the air duct, and the like again. All operations may beperformed similarly the air cleaner for a vehicle, which is known in therelated art.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an interior of a housing byremoving one side of the top of the housing in the air cleaner for thevehicle illustrated in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 3, the element 120 may be mounted and disposed in thehousing 110 and the element 120 has a substantially quadrangular plateshape and is disposed in the housing 110 to be mounted and disposed topartition upper and lower parts of the housing 110.

Accordingly, the air suctioned through the intake port 11 passes throughthe element 120 while flowing upward in the housing 110 and during sucha process, the suctioned air may be filtered. However, the shape and thestructure of the element 120, a flow direction of the suctioned air, andthe like may be designed and changed as necessary, of course.

Meanwhile, the air cleaner 100 for a vehicle according to the embodimentof the present invention may further include an evaporation gascollecting unit 130 inside the housing 110, preferably, an upper part ofthe inside of the cover part 110 b, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The evaporation gas collecting unit 130 may collect evaporation gaswhich flows backward in the housing 110 and may be constituted by acasing 132 formed to have an available space formed therein, activecarbon 134 accommodated in the casing 132, and a compression sponge 136preventing the active carbon 134 accommodated in the casing 132 frombeing leaked to the outside.

In detail, the casing 132 is made of non-woven fabric and is fused tothe upper part of the inside of the cover part 110 b and the casing isconfigured to have minute vents to make air to pass and prevent theactive carbon 134 accommodated therein from being leaked to the outside.

Herein, the casing 132 fused to the cover part 110 b is fixed andinstalled through ultrasonic fusion, but such a method may be changed tovarious methods including thermal fusion, vibration fusion, and the likewhich may stably fix the active carbon 134 in the casing 130.

Further, the compression sponge 136 is installed on the top of theactive carbon 134 accommodated in the casing 132 to prevent the activecarbon 134 from being leaked to the outside of the casing 132 by impactand vibration and prevent the active carbon 134 from being condensed atone location to evenly distribute the active carbon 134.

Accordingly, the evaporation gas which flows backward in the housing110, in particular, a carbon hydrogen component is adsorbed whilepassing through the active carbon to effectively remove the evaporationgas.

Further, since the evaporation gas collecting unit 130 that may collectthe evaporation gas is installed inside the housing 110 of the aircleaner 100, a separate means for collecting separate evaporation gas isnot provided in an engine room of the vehicle to secure the availablespace.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating an air cleaner for avehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention andFIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an interior of a housing byremoving one side of the top of the housing in the air cleaner for thevehicle illustrated in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the element 120 may be mounted and disposedin the housing 110 and the element 120 has the substantiallyquadrangular plate shape and is disposed in the housing 110 to bemounted and disposed to partition the inside of the housing 110 intoupper and lower parts.

Accordingly, the air suctioned through the intake port 11 passes throughthe element 120 while flowing upward in the housing 110 and during sucha process, the suctioned air may be filtered. However, the shape and thestructure of the element 120, a flow direction of the suctioned air, andthe like may be designed and changed as necessary, of course.

Meanwhile, the air cleaner 100 for a vehicle according to the embodimentof the present invention may further include an evaporation gascollecting unit 130 inside the housing 110, preferably, the outside ofthe upper part of the cover part 110 b as illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7.

The evaporation gas collecting unit 130 may collect evaporation gaswhich flows backward in the housing 110 and may be constituted by acasing 132 formed to have an available space formed therein, activecarbon 134 accommodated in the casing 132, and a cover member 139preventing the active carbon 134 accommodated in the casing 132 frombeing leaked to the outside.

In detail, the casing 132 is formed in a box shape having anaccommodation space therein and positioned to protrude at the outerupper part of the cover part 110 b. In this case, the accommodationspace in the casing 132 formed to protrude to the outside of the coverpart 110 b is installed to be in communication with the inside of thehousing 110.

Further, the casing 132 which is formed to have predetermined rigiditymay be formed integrally with the housing 110 and in some cases, thecasing 132 may be fixed and installed through fusion.

In this case, the casing 132 may be fused by any one method of theultrasonic fusion, the thermal fusion, and the vibration fusion and inthe embodiment of the present invention, the casing 132 is fixed throughthe ultrasonic fusion for easy operation.

The active carbon 134 which is accommodated in the casing 132 allows theevaporation gas which flows in the housing 110 to be adsorbed whilepassing through the active carbon 134 to remove the evaporation gas, inparticular, the carbon hydrogen component.

The cover member 139 which partitions the accommodation space of thecasing 132 and an internal space of the housing 110 is formed to have aplurality of minute vents so as to prevent the active carbon 134 in thecasing 132 from being leaked to the outside and enable the air to pass.

In this case, the cover member 139 is fixed to and installed in thecasing 132 through fusion and a step portion 133 is formed along a sidewall on the inner periphery of the casing 132 and a circumferenceportion of the cover member 139 may be thus fused with the step portion133, and as a result, the cover member 139 is strongly fixed to preventthe active carbon 134 in the casing 132 from being removed.

Accordingly, in the air cleaner 100 for a vehicle according to theembodiment of the present invention, when the evaporation gas flowsbackward in the housing 110, the evaporation gas flows in the casing 132by passing through the minute vents of the cover member 139 andthereafter, the evaporation gas is adsorbed while detouring the activecarbon 134 to be prevented from being leaked to the outside.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an interior of a housing byremoving one side of the top of a housing in an air cleaner for avehicle according to a third embodiment of the present invention andFIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the air cleaner for a vehicleaccording to the third embodiment of the present invention.

The air cleaner 100 for a vehicle according to the third embodiment ofthe present invention may further include an evaporation gas collectingunit 130 at the outside of the upper part of the cover part 110 a of thehousing as illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 9.

The evaporation gas collecting unit 130 may collect evaporation gaswhich flows backward in the housing 110 and may be constituted by acasing 132 formed to have an available space formed therein, activecarbon 134 accommodated in the casing 132, a cover member 139 preventingthe active carbon 134 accommodated in the casing 132 from being leakedto the outside, and a noise attenuation member 138 installed at thelower part of the cover member 139, having the accommodation spacetherein, and a plurality of throughout-holes formed therein.

In detail, the casing 132 is formed in a box shape having anaccommodation space therein and positioned to protrude at the outerupper part of the cover part 110 b. In this case, the accommodationspace in the casing 132 formed to protrude to the outside of the coverpart 110 b is installed to be in communication with the inside of thehousing 110.

Further, the casing 132 which is formed to have predetermined rigiditymay be formed integrally with the housing 110 and in some cases, thecasing 132 may be fixed and installed through fusion.

In this case, the casing 132 may be fused by any one method of theultrasonic fusion, the thermal fusion, and the vibration fusion and inthe embodiment of the present invention, the casing 132 is fixed throughthe ultrasonic fusion for easy operation.

The active carbon 134 which is accommodated in the casing 132 allows theevaporation gas which flows in the housing 110 to be adsorbed whilepassing through the active carbon 134 to remove the evaporation gas, inparticular, the carbon hydrogen component.

The cover member 139 which may prevent the active carbon 134accommodated in the accommodation space of the casing 132 from beingleaked to the outside of the casing 132 has a plurality of vents whichis minutely formed.

In this case, the cover member 139 is fixed to and installed in thecasing 132 through fusion and a step portion 133 is formed along a sidewall on the inner periphery of the casing 132 and a circumferenceportion of the cover member 139 may be thus fused with the step portion133, and as a result, the cover member 139 is strongly fixed to preventthe active carbon 134 in the casing 132 from being removed.

Accordingly, in the air cleaner 100 for a vehicle according to theembodiment of the present invention, when the evaporation gas flowsbackward in the housing 110, the evaporation gas flows in the casing 132by passing through the minute vents of the cover member 139 andthereafter, the evaporation gas is adsorbed while detouring the activecarbon 134 to be prevented from being leaked to the outside.

The noise attenuation member 138 has the box shape so as to have theaccommodation space therein similarly to the casing 132, and has anupper part which is opened and is coupled with the casing 132 throughthe fusion.

In this case, the noise attenuation member 138 has the plurality ofthrough-holes so as to be in communication with the internal space ofthe housing 110 to allow the air in the housing 110 to be taken in orout.

That is, the noise attenuation member allows some of the air which flowsin the housing 110 of the air cleaner 100 to flow in, and as a result,some of the air in the housing 110 is suctioned in the accommodationspace of the noise attenuation member 138 and pressure is thus reducedduring an intake negative pressure state of the engine to offset noise.

Therefore, in the air cleaner 100 for a vehicle according to theembodiment of the present invention, the evaporation gas collecting unit130 which is in communication with the housing 110 of the air cleaner isconfigured to further include the noise attenuation member 138 which maycollect the evaporation gas which flows backward in the engine throughthe active carbon 134 and attenuate the noise generated during theintake negative pressure state to reduce the noise of the vehicle.

Further, the existing vehicle is configured to further include aresonator in order to reduce the noise, but since the air cleaner 100for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present inventionincludes the noise attenuation member 138 corresponding to theresonator, a separate resonator need not be provided, and as a result, autilization space of the engine room may be secured.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an interior of a housing byremoving one side of the top of a housing in an air cleaner for avehicle according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG.11 is a side cross-sectional view of the air cleaner for a vehicleaccording to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12is an exploded perspective view of an evaporation gas collecting unitprovided in the air cleaner for a vehicle according to the fourthembodiment of the present invention.

In the air cleaner 100 for a vehicle according to the fourth embodimentof the present invention, an evaporation gas collecting unit 140 capableof collecting the evaporation gas which flows backward in the enginesystem is installed in an air hose 150 connecting the outtake port 112of the housing 110 and the engine as illustrated in FIG. 11.

To this end, in the air cleaner 100 for a vehicle according to thefourth embodiment of the present invention, perforation portions 151 maybe formed at a part of the air hose 150 and thereafter, the evaporationgas collecting unit 140 may be inserted into the air hose 150 throughthe perforation portions 151.

In this case, the perforation portions 151 penetrates the exterior andthe interior of the air house 150 and has coupling jaws 152 formed toprotrude on the exterior thereof.

Further, the evaporation gas collecting unit 140 may include a non-wovenfabric positioned in the air hose 150 through the perforation portions151 and accommodating active carbon 144 therein, a plug 146 positionedin the coupling jaws 152 and preventing the active carbon 144 in thenon-woven fabric 142 from being leaked to the outside, and a clamp 148preventing the non-woven fabric 142 positioned in the perforationportions 151 and the plug 146 positioned in the coupling jaws 152 frombeing spaced apart from each other in the air hose 150.

The non-woven fabric 142 has the plurality of minute vents so as toprevent the active carbon 144 positioned therein from being leaked tothe outside and allow external air to flow.

Further, the active carbon 144 positioned in the non-woven fabric 142serves to adsorb the evaporation gas which flows backward in the enginesystem.

That is, while the active carbon 144 is inserted into the air hose 150while being surrounded through the non-woven fabric 142, the evaporationgas which flows in the air hose 150 is collected while passing throughthe active carbon 144 via the non-woven fabric 142.

The plug 146 has a “

’ shape and includes flanges 147 bent in a lateral direction at bothends and a part of the plug 146 is positioned to be inserted into thecoupling jaws 152 formed in the air hose 150 and the bent flanges 147are positioned to contact the coupling jaws 152.

In this case, the plug 146 serves to prevent the active carbon 144positioned in the non-woven fabric 142 from being leaked to the outside.

The clamp 148 which is capable of preventing the plug 146 positioned inthe coupling jaws 152 from being spaced apart from the air hose 150 isformed to have elastic force.

That is, while a part of the non-woven fabric 142 is positioned betweenthe coupling jaws 152 and the plug 146, the coupling jaws 152 and theplug 146 are fixed by using the clamp 148 to prevent the non-wovenfabric 142 and the plug 146 from being spaced apart from each other inthe air hose 150.

Accordingly, in the air cleaner 100 for a vehicle according to theembodiment of the present invention, when the evaporation gas flowsbackward in the engine system, the evaporation gas is adsorbed on theactive carbon 144 while passing through the active carbon 144 of theevaporation gas collecting unit 140 provided in the air hose 150 toeffectively remove the evaporation gas.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating an interior of a housing byremoving one side of the top of a housing in an air cleaner for avehicle according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, FIG.14 is a side cross-sectional view of the air cleaner for a vehicleaccording to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15is a block diagram schematically illustrating an evaporation gascollecting unit illustrated in FIG. 14.

The air cleaner 100 for a vehicle according to the embodiment of thepresent invention may further include an evaporation gas collecting unit160 which may collect the evaporation gas which flows backward in theengine system in the outtake port that discharges air purified by theelement in the housing 110 to the engine as illustrated in FIG. 14.

The evaporation gas collecting unit 160 which is attached to/detachedfrom the outtake port 112 to collect the evaporation gas, that is,carbon monoxide discharged from the engine system of the vehicle toprevent the carbon monoxide from being discharged to the outside of thevehicle may include a coupling member 162 to be attached to/detachedfrom the outtake port 112 of the housing 110, a collection member 166fused with the coupling member 162 and accommodating the active carbon164 capable of collecting the evaporation gas which flows in thecoupling member therein, and a non-woven fabric 168 preventing theactive carbon 164 accommodated in the collecting member 164 from beingleaked and allowing the air in the coupling member 162 to flow.

The coupling member 162 may be constituted by a pipe body 162 a having apipe shape with a hollow therein and a flange 162 b formed at one end ofthe pipe body 162 a to extend in a circumferential direction.

In this case, a plurality of screw holes 163 is formed at the flange 162b in the circumferential direction, and as a result, the flange 162 bmay be bolt-coupled with the outtake port 112 of the housing 110 throughthe screw holes 163.

The collection member 166 is fused to the pipe body 162 a of thecoupling member 162 and active carbon 164 is installed at both sides ofthe pipe body 162 a to be in communication with the hollow and theactive carbon 164 capable of collecting the evaporation gas is providedtherein as illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15.

The non-woven fabric 168 which prevents the active carbon 164 providedin the collection member 166 from being leaked and allows theevaporation gas which flows in the coupling member 162 to flow to theactive carbon 164 in the collection member 166 has minute vents.

Accordingly, in the air cleaner 100 for a vehicle according to theembodiment of the present invention, when the evaporation gas flowsbackward in the engine system, the evaporation gas flows in the couplingmember 162 installed in the outtake port 112 and the evaporation gaswhich flows is adsorbed while passing through the active carbon 164 inthe collection member 166 via the non-woven fabric 168 to effectivelyremove the evaporation gas such as preventing the evaporation gas frombeing leaked to the outside, and the like.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a carbon hydrogen collecting deviceconnected to an air cleaner for a vehicle according to anotherembodiment of the present invention, FIG. 17 is an exploded perspectiveview of FIG. 16, FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating anexploded state of FIG. 16, FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a carbonhydrogen collecting device connected to an air cleaner for a vehicleaccording to yet another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 20 isa perspective view of a carbon hydrogen adsorption unit connected to theair cleaner for a vehicle according to yet another embodiment of thepresent invention, and FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of FIG.19.

As illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 18, a carbon hydrogen collecting deviceaccording to a first embodiment may include a first body 10, a secondbody 20, and a carbon hydrogen adsorbing unit 200.

One end of the first body 10 may be connected with the air hose 50connected with an air cleaner (not illustrated) of the vehicle. To thisend, a first connection portion 11 and a second connection portion 12may be provided in the first body 10. The first connection portion 11 isconnected with the air hose 50, and as a result, the air purifiedthrough the air cleaner may flow in the first connection portion 11. Thefirst connection portion 11 may be provided in a cylindrical shape toprotrude outward as illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 18 and the innerperiphery of the first connection portion 11 may be provided in a shapecorresponding to an inner diameter of the air hose 50. According to theembodiment, the air hose 50 may be inserted into the first connectionportion 11 and although not illustrated, the air hose 50 may be insertedinto the outer periphery and thereafter, fixed and coupled by a clamp,and the like. The second connection portion 12 which is provided forcoupling with the second body 20 to be described below may be providedin a complimentary shape with a fourth connection portion 22 to bedescribed below. That is, the second and fourth connection portions 12and 22 may be fixed through mutual coupling and fixed and coupled byvarious methods. This will be described below again.

Meanwhile, a first suspension portion 15 may be formed in the first body10 to protrude to an inside space. The first suspension portion 15 isprovided in the cylindrical shape and one end of the carbon hydrogenadsorption unit 200 to be described below may be thus configured to beinserted into the outer periphery. A donut-shaped ring-type groove isformed between the inner periphery of the first body 10 and the outerperiphery of the first suspension portion 15 and one end of the carbonhydrogen adsorption unit 200 may be inserted into the groove.

One end of the second body 20 may be connected with an engine 30 of thevehicle. In this case, one end of the body 20 may be connected with aturbocharger instead of the engine 30. To this end, a third connectionportion 21 and a fourth connection portion 22 may be provided in thesecond body 20. The second connection portion 21 is connected with theengine 30, and as a result, the air purified through the air cleaner maybe supplied to the engine 30. The third connection portion 21 may beprovided in the cylindrical shape to protrude outward as illustrated inFIGS. 16 to 18 and the diameter of the inner periphery of the thirdconnection portion 21 may correspond to the diameter of the innerdiameter of the first connection portion 11. According to theembodiment, a coupling portion 31 of the engine 30 and the thirdconnection portion 21 to be provided in the complimentary shape andprimarily fixed by fitting coupling and thereafter, secondarily fixed tothe outer periphery by a clamp 32, and the like. However, the presentinvention is not limited thereto and all structures which may be coupledand decoupled may be substituted and used.

The fourth connection portion 22 which is provided for coupling with thefirst body 10 may be provided in the complimentary shape with the secondconnection portion 12. That is, the second and fourth connectionportions 12 and 22 may be fixed through mutual coupling and fixed andcoupled by the fusion after surface contact or line contact according tothe embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited theretoand the second and fourth connection portions 12 and 22 are provided ina flange shape to use a fastening member such as a screw, and the like.

Meanwhile, a second suspension portion 25 may be formed in the secondbody 20 to protrude to the inside space. The second suspension portion25 is provided in the cylindrical shape and one end of the carbonhydrogen adsorption unit 200 to be described below may be thusconfigured to be inserted into the outer periphery. That is, thedonut-shaped ring-type groove is formed between the inner periphery ofthe second body 20 and the outer periphery of the second suspensionportion 25 and one end of the carbon hydrogen adsorption unit 200 may beinserted into the groove.

The carbon hydrogen adsorption unit 200 may include a first adsorptionportion 210 and a second adsorption portion 22, and an active carbonparticle 230.

The first adsorption portion 210 may be inserted into the inside spaceof the first body 10 and the second adsorption portion 22 may beinserted into the inside space of the second body 20. The first andsecond adsorption portions 210 and 220 may be provided in thecylindrical shape through the complimentary coupling and as illustratedin FIG. 17, first and second contact portions 211 and 221 having theflange shape are formed at the connection portions which engage witheach other as illustrated in FIG. 17, and as a result, the first andsecond contact portions 211 and 221 are coupled with the connectionportions by the method such as the fusion, or the like to be configuredin the cylindrical shape.

Both the inner periphery and the outer periphery of the first and secondadsorption portions 210 and 220 may be made of the same material andaccording to the embodiment, the first and second adsorption portions210 and 220 may be made of a compression molding non-woven fabric havingair permeability. That is, the non-woven fabric including multipleactive carbon particles 230 is compressed and molded in the cylindricalshape illustrated in FIG. 17 and separately injection-molded into thefirst adsorption portion 210 inserted into the first body 10 and thesecond adsorption portion 220 inserted into the second body 20 andthereafter, they are individually coupled to form one module orindividually separately insert and assemble the first and second bodies10 and 20.

When the non-woven fabric is modularized into the first and secondadsorption portions 210 and 220, a charge amount and a volume of theactive carbon particle 230 may be easily variable according to acondition of an intake system which needs to be installed to enhanceassemblability.

Meanwhile, an air path corresponding to flow path diameters of the firstand second bodies 10 and 20 may be formed in the carbon hydrogenadsorption unit 200 having the cylindrical shape, which is formed bycoupling the first and second adsorption portions 210 and 220. In thiscase, the air path is made of the permeable non-woven fabric and carbonhydrogen in the air is configured to be adsorbed on the active carbon,and the like.

Meanwhile, a carbon hydrogen collecting device according to a secondembodiment is the same as the first embodiment in most configurations.However, as illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20, both the first and secondembodiments may be slightly different from each other in terms of astructure of a carbon hydrogen adsorption unit 300.

That is, according to the second embodiment, the carbon hydrogenadsorption unit 300 may be provided as a cylindrical member having asingle shape, which includes an outer diameter portion 310 and an innerdiameter portion 320. That is, the carbon hydrogen adsorption unit 300is provided in a hollow-shaped cylindrical shape and the outer diameterportion 310 may be inserted and coupled into each of the first andsecond bodies 10 and 20 and the inner diameter portion 320 is formed tohave diameters corresponding to the first and third connection portions11 and 21 to form the air flow path. In addition, multiple active carbonparticles 330 are inserted between the outer diameter portion 310 andthe inner diameter portion 320 to adsorb the carbon hydrogen.

Meanwhile, in the carbon hydrogen adsorption unit 300, as illustrated inFIG. 21, a plurality of modules may be alternately disposed and in thiscase, in respective modules, a module made only by the non-woven fabricand a module made of the non-woven fabric including the active carbonparticle may be radially alternately disposed.

Meanwhile, commonly to the first and second embodiments, the second andfourth connection portions 12 and 22 of the first and second bodies 10and 20 may be provided in the complimentary shape so as to be coupled bythe thermal or ultrasonic fusion as described above.

In addition, the second body 20 is coupled with any one of the engine 30of the vehicle and a turbo charger (not illustrated) and a distancebetween the second body 20, and the engine 30 and the turbo charger maybe shorter than the distance between the first body 10 and the aircleaner. Through such a configuration, the carbon hydrogen in oil mistwhich flows backward at the engine side may be more effectivelycollected and noise caused by the air flow, which is generated from theengine 30 may be adsorbed by the carbon hydrogen adsorption units 200and 300 made of the non-woven fabric, and the like.

According to the embodiment, since the carbon hydrogen adsorption units200 and 300 made of the compressed and molded non-woven fabricaccommodating the active carbon particles 230 and 330 are modularizedand inserted into the first and second bodies 10 and 20, the carbonhydrogen adsorption units 200 and 300 may be modularized and configuredin various shapes corresponding to the shapes of the first and secondbodies 10 and 20.

Further, since mounting locations of the carbon hydrogen adsorptionunits 200 and 300 are closer to the engine 30 or the turbo charger thanthe air cleaner, carbon hydrogen collection efficiency and a noisereduction effect may be enhanced and the carbon hydrogen is effectivelycollected from the oil mist generated when the engine 30 stops toeffectively prevent the carbon hydrogen from being leaked to the outsidethrough an air intake port of the air cleaner.

As described above, embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed, but it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatthe present invention may be modified and changed in various wayswithout departing from the spirit of the present invention described inthe claims by the addition, change, deletion or addition of constituentelements, and that the modifications and changes are included in theclaims of the present invention.

1. An air cleaner for a vehicle, comprising: a housing having an intakeport for suctioning air and an outtake port for supplying the airsuctioned through the intake port to an engine system of the vehicle;and an element installed in the housing to filter the air suctionedthrough the intake port, wherein the air cleaner includes an evaporationgas collecting unit which is in communication with the inside of thehousing at an upper part of the outside of the housing and active carbonis provided in the evaporation gas collecting unit.
 2. The air cleanerfor a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the evaporation gas collecting unitincludes a casing installed at the upper part of the outside of thehousing and installed to be in communication with the inside of thehousing and formed in a box shape having an accommodation space therein,active carbon accommodated in the casing, and a cover member installedto partition the inside of the housing and the accommodation space ofthe casing and configured to prevent the active carbon accommodated inthe casing from being leaked to the outside of the casing.
 3. The aircleaner for a vehicle of claim 2, wherein the cover member is anon-woven fabric having a plurality of vents so that air flows.
 4. Theair cleaner for a vehicle of claim 2, wherein the circumference of thecover member is fused to a step portion formed along a side wall of theinner periphery of the casing.
 5. The air cleaner for a vehicle of claim2, wherein the casing is fused to the housing by any one of ultrasonicfusion, thermal fusion, and vibration fusion.
 6. An air cleaner for avehicle, comprising: a housing having an intake port for suctioning airand an outtake port for supplying the air suctioned through the intakeport to an engine system of the vehicle; and an element installed in thehousing to filter the air suctioned through the intake port, wherein theair cleaner includes an evaporation gas collecting unit installed at anupper part of the outside of the housing to collect evaporation gaswhich flows backward an engine and a noise attenuation member capable ofreducing noise generated when air is suctioned is further included inthe evaporation gas collecting unit.
 7. The air cleaner for a vehicle ofclaim 6, wherein the evaporation gas collecting unit includes a casinginstalled at the upper part of the outside of the housing and installedto be in communication with the inside of the housing and formed in abox shape having an accommodation space therein, active carbonaccommodated in the casing, a cover member preventing the active carbonaccommodated in the cashing from being leaked to the outside, and anoise attenuation member installed at a lower part of the cover memberand having an accommodation space and having a plurality ofthrough-holes.
 8. The air cleaner for a vehicle of claim 7, wherein thecover member is a non-woven fabric having a plurality of vents so thatair flows.
 9. The air cleaner for a vehicle of claim 7, wherein thecircumference of the cover member is fused to a step portion formedalong a side wall of the inner periphery of the casing.
 10. The aircleaner for a vehicle of claim 7, wherein the casing is fused to thehousing by any one of ultrasonic fusion, thermal fusion, and vibrationfusion.
 11. An air cleaner for a vehicle, comprising: a housing havingan intake port for suctioning air and an outtake port for supplying theair suctioned through the intake port to an engine system of thevehicle; and an element installed in the housing to filter the airsuctioned through the intake port, wherein the air cleaner furtherincludes an evaporation gas collecting unit capable of collectingevaporation gas which flows backward in the engine system in an air hoseconnecting the outtake port and an engine.
 12. The air cleaner for avehicle of claim 11, wherein the evaporation gas collecting unit hasperforation portions penetrating an interior and an exterior, which areformed in a part of the air hose and installed at coupling jaws formedto protrude to the outside of the perforation portions, and includes anon-woven fabric accommodating active carbon therein, a plug positionedin the coupling jaws and configured to prevent the active carbon in thenon-woven fabric from being leaked to the outside, and a clampconfigured to prevent the non-woven fabric positioned in the perforationportions and the plug positioned in the coupling jaws from being spacedapart from each other in the air hose.
 13. The air cleaner for a vehicleof claim 12, wherein the clamp has elastic force.
 14. An air cleaner fora vehicle, comprising: a first body; a second body coupled to the end ofthe first body; and a carbon hydrogen adsorption unit disposed in aninside space of a connection portion of the first body coupled with thesecond body to reduce intake noise and prevent carbon hydrogen from flowin the air cleaner, wherein the carbon adsorption unit includes, a firstadsorption portion inserted into the first body, a second adsorptionportion inserted into the second body, and multiple active carbonparticles disposed in the first and second adsorption portions, thefirst and second adsorption portions are coupled to each other andthereafter, modularized and inserted into the first and second bodies,and one end of the first body is connected with an air hose.
 15. The aircleaner for a vehicle of claim 14, wherein the carbon hydrogenadsorption unit is provided in a cylindrical shape and has an air flowpath corresponding to flow path diameters of the first and second bodieson the inner periphery thereof.
 16. The air cleaner for a vehicle ofclaim 14, wherein the first and second adsorption portions arecompressed molded non-woven fabrics compressed and molded in a shapecorresponding to the inside spaces of the first and second bodies whilecontaining the active carbon particles therein.
 17. The air cleaner fora vehicle of claim 14, wherein the first and second adsorption portionsare provided in a corresponding shape.
 18. An air cleaner for a vehicle,comprising: a first body; a second body coupled to the end of the firstbody; and a carbon hydrogen adsorption unit disposed in an inside spaceof a connection portion of the first body coupled with the second bodyto reduce intake noise and prevent carbon hydrogen from flow in the aircleaner, wherein the carbon adsorption unit includes, an outer diameterportion of which one end is inserted into the first body and the otherend is inserted into the second body, an inner diameter portion havingan air flow path corresponding to corresponding to flow path diametersof the first and second bodies, and multiple active carbon particlesdisposed in the first and second adsorption portions, and one end of thefirst body is connected with an air hose.
 19. The air cleaner for avehicle of claim 18, wherein in the carbon hydrogen adsorption unit, amodule made only by the non-woven fabric and a module made of thenon-woven fabric including the active carbon particle are radiallyalternately disposed.
 20. The air cleaner for a vehicle of claim 14,wherein connection portions of the first and second bodies are providedin a complimentary shape so as to be coupled by fusion.
 21. The aircleaner for a vehicle of claim 14, wherein the second body is coupledwith any one of an engine and a turbo charger of the vehicle, and adistance of the second body, and any one of the engine and the turbocharger is shorter than the distance between the first body and the aircleaner.